Feature Description
The Measure Distance function calculates distances between points and points/lines/areas. It can compute distances between specified query ranges and save results in a new attribute table. The output fields include: source point ID, proximity feature ID (point/line/area), and distance values.
Application Scenarios
This function helps analyze proximity relationships between entities. For example, to examine distances between business points (theaters, fast-food chains, engineering firms, hardware stores) and community issues (littering, broken windows, graffiti) within 1 km, results can guide placement of public trash bins or police patrols.
Another use case: finding all wells within specified ranges from contaminated wells.
Feature Entry
- Spatial Analysis Tab -> Vector Analysis -> Proximity Analysis -> Measure Distance
- Toolbox -> Vector Analysis Tools -> Proximity Analysis -> Measure Distance
Parameter Description
- Source Data:
- Datasource: Select the datasource containing point datasets for measurement.
- Dataset: Choose point or network datasets as measurement origins. For network datasets, node data will be used.
- Filter Expression: Filter participating points using SQL expressions. See SQL Expression Query.
- Proximity Data:
- Datasource: Select the datasource containing proximity data (points/lines/areas/network datasets).
- Dataset: Choose datasets serving as measurement endpoints.
- Filter Expression: Filter proximity features using SQL expressions. See SQL Expression Query.
- Calculation Method: Choose between two modes via dropdown:
Notes:- Closest Distance: Finds the nearest object(s) within specified query range.
When selected, set minimum/maximum distances (in dataset units) under "Query Range Settings". Only objects within this range will be considered.
- Distance in Range: Returns all objects within specified distance thresholds.
- Point-to-line distance is the minimum distance to any point on the line. Similarly, point-to-area distance measures the shortest distance to the area boundary:
- Source and proximity datasets must share the same coordinate system.
- Distance equals 0 when features overlap or contain each other (e.g., a point on a line).
- Point-to-line distance is the minimum distance to any point on the line. Similarly, point-to-area distance measures the shortest distance to the area boundary:
- Closest Distance: Finds the nearest object(s) within specified query range.
- Result Settings:
- Datasource: Select output datasource.
- Dataset: Name the result dataset. Invalid names will prompt for re-entry.
- Click "Run" after configuration. Below shows closest distance results:
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| Figure: Measure Distance Result |
Related Topics
Measure Distance Application Example